Messiah's coming glory: judgment and a remnant preserved

But it was in the counsels of God that His presence should be
established in glory in the midst of His people, and this will be
accomplished in Christ at the end of the age. Hence the testimony of
the progress of the judgments is interrupted after the first general
statement, and in chapter 6 the prophet sees this glory. Yet its first
effect is judicial, and operates to blind and condemn them. The
previous judgment (chap. 5) had been in respect of the breaking of the
law and the despising of the word of the Holy One of Israel. But with
enmity against Christ and His rejection comes judicial blindness and
the separation of a remnant. That it is the glory of Christ is taught
us in chapter 12 of John's Gospel. The prophet feels at once the
incompatibility of the people's condition with the manifestation of
this glory. Unclean lips cannot celebrate it. But a live coal from the
altar cleanses his own lips, and he consecrates himself to Jehovah's
message; and to that which concerns the glory of Christ. The heart of
the people is made fat until there is entire desolation. Nevertheless
there shall be a remnant, a holy seed, which shall be like the sap of
a tree that has lost its leaves. [1]

The two aspects of God's judgment in chapters 5 and 6

We have then in these last chapters the judgment of the people under
two aspects: first, that of God's government (in this point of view
the people, being altogether guilty, are given up to the Gentiles);
secondly, in view of the glory of Jehovah's presence at His coming
according to His purposes of grace (for this the people were
unfit). But here, as the purposes of God were in question, there is a
remnant according to election in whom the glory shall be
re-established. This distinction must be made when the government of
God and His outward dealings are in question.

In chapter 5, which speaks of the former character of judgment, there
is no remnant. It is simply the public and complete judgment of the
nation; for as to this all rested on their responsibility. In the
Gospels this is looking for fruit; Christ might dig about it and dung
it, but this was looking for fruit. Hence it is cursed and never to
bear fruit. That is Israel (man) under the first covenant. In chapter
6 God acts within, in His own relationship with the people. Hence we
find a remnant and the assured re-establishment of the people; for the
gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Here also we find
Christ. God could not cast off His people for ever, and the prophetic
faith is found which says, How long? as elsewhere it is said, There is
none to say, How long? For when the Son of man cometh, shall He find
faith on earth?

[1] A more exact translation throws much light on this
prophecy. Nevertheless there shall still be in it a tenth, and it
shall return and shall be to be consumed, as the oak and the teil
tree, which being cut down have still the trunk [or the rooted stump];
thus the holy seed shall be their stock" (chap. 1: 9). That is,
the remnant itself will undergo Judgment and consumption at the time
of their return; but there shall be a holy seed, from which life will
spring as from a tree cut down.